obama will adopt. press secretary jay carney says only so much the president can do without the help of congress, but he's not trying to go around lawmakers. >> the president believes and supports the second amendment. he also understands that there are limits to what can be achieved, without congressional action, which is why he is calling on congress to act appropriately. >> reporter: the senate majority leader harry reid says he's not going to ask democrats in the senate to vote on measures that are likely to be rejected by the republican controlled house, and virginia congressman says that things like an assault weapon ban are nonstarters. >> we've tried some things in the past like assault weapons ban that simply do not work. that was repealed, rightfully so, i voted to repeal it and the fact of the matter is, the semi automatic mechanisms, operate the same, whether it's an assault weapon or a hunting rifle or a weapon that someone keeps in their home for other purposes. >> reporter: as you point